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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The reader is informed that the New York Times featured a story of whose disgrace?

2. After speaking with Walter in "Mistakes Were Made," Patty learns what about Eliza?

3. Patty's autobiography is written in what person?

4. Patty describes her father as being an amateur what?

5. What does Patty's father do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are Patty's parents and what do they do?

2. What happens after Patty leaves Eliza for the last time?

3. How does Connie feel about Joey Berglund?

4. Who is Ethan Post, and how does he affect Patty and her family?

5. Who is Walter? How does Patty meet him, and what does she think of him?

6. What is the only information about her past that Patty shares with others?

7. Describe Patty's relationship with her parents.

8. Who is Richard? How does Patty meet him, and what does she think of him?

9. Why does Walter invite Richard to stay at his lake house?

10. What are Walter's feelings regarding population growth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The perspectives of three Berglunds--Walter, Patty, and Joey--are presented to the reader. Jessica Berglund, however, does not get her point of view presented to the reader. Analyze the effect that keeping Jessica "silent" has on the reader. Does the reader view Jessica any differently as a result?

Essay Topic 2

Birds are central to the novel. Write an essay in which you analyze the impact of birds both on Walter's character and the novel as a whole.

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the first section, Merrie Paulsen comments on Walter and Patty, saying, "I don't think they've figured out yet how to live" (28). By the end of the novel, have Walter and Patty figured out this important lesson? What, exactly, have they learned about living?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 747 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample